US revises Western Sahara resolution draft
Draft changes soften Moroccan autonomy proposal but maintain it as sole negotiation basis.
The United States has revised its draft resolution on Western Sahara, altering key phrases debated by the UN Security Council. A document updated on October 24 no longer presents Moroccan autonomy as the "only viable solution" but as the "most viable solution." This change reduces the exclusivity of the initial proposal, which had been interpreted as a shift favoring Morocco.
The revised text also incorporates conditions for a political solution, requiring it to be just, lasting, mutually acceptable, and respectful of the UN Charter, including the right to self-determination. The Frente POLISARIO has explained these changes, noting that while the right to self-determination is now explicitly mentioned, the Moroccan autonomy proposal remains the sole basis for negotiations.
The draft also abandons the automatic transformation of MINURSO, the UN mission in the region. The ongoing consultations and revisions have led to what is described as a "war of drafts" among council members, focusing on the autonomy concept, self-determination guarantees, and the mission's future.
Why it mattersThe people of Western Sahara are directly affected by changes to a UN Security Council resolution that will determine the basis for negotiations on their future.